The islands were uninhabited when discovered by the Portuguese
in 1456. First settlers came there in 1462. They became a base
for the slave trade. But no other source of wealth was found
and the prosperity declined after the slave trade was abandoned
in 1876.

The islands have few resources and especially are subject
to long droughts as they are offshore of the Sahara. When they
were a Portuguese colony they were ruled as a unit with Guiné
Bissau but split off at independence in 1975. The state is now
a separate republic.

Before the invention of stretched airliners, Sal Island was
used as a fueling point for South African airways.

The economic state of the islands is not encouraging unless
cheap desalination could be developed, though tourism might help
pay for this.

Famines have occurred in the past due to lack of water. The
islands are not really viable as an independent state in the
absence of rain. One possible solution might be OTEC
which could produce both electricity and fresh water if the surface
temperature is high enough. This technology might transform the
islands. It could make intensive agriculture possible.

They have a high rate of population increase which will make
the situation worse. Before the Portuguese arrived no doubt any
visitors had concluded they should not stay.